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Artists are turning the U.S.-Mexico border fence into the world’s longest peace-themed mural

As the Trump administration pushes forward with plans to build a border wall, American and Mexican artists are working to paint a mile-long mural on the border fence celebrating peace and unity. Mexican-born, American-educated artist Enrique Chiu is leading a bi-national effort to turn the fence into a work of art that spreads a message of hope to people who cross the border.

This December, Chiu launched The Mural of Brotherhood, enlisting over than 2,600 volunteers to paint uplifting messages on the Mexico-facing side of the U.S.-owned fence. The entire mural is expected to stretch more than a mile in Tijuana and shorter spans in Tecate, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Naco and Reynosa. The goal is to set the Guinness World Record for the longest mural and create an artistic riposte to Trump’s nationalist and anti-immigrant politics.

The artist himself crossed the border with his mother when he was eight and lived in LA for a year without a legal status. After moving to Tijuana about ten years Chiu joined the city’s burgeoning artistic scene. He dedicates this project “to all those people who are looking for a better life. Who take enormous risks. Or those have been deported and are separated from their families.”

One thought on “Artists are turning the U.S.-Mexico border fence into the world’s longest peace-themed mural”

Lovely idea. May God bless you for your vision to overcome the forces of hate and fear with the power of love and hope.

Slideshow

Artists are turning the U.S.-Mexico border fence into the world’s longest peace-themed mural

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

1 of 13

As the Trump administration pushes towards building a new border wall, American and Mexican artists are working to turn the old border fence into a mile-long mural celebrating peace and unity. Mexican-born, American-educated artist Enrique Chiu is leading a binational effort to turn the fence into a work of art which spreads a message of hope to people crossing the border.

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

2 of 13

Recently, Chiu launched The Mural of Brotherhood, enlisting over than 2,600 volunteers to paint uplifting messages on the Mexico-facing side of the U.S.-owned fence.

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

3 of 13

After moving to Tijuana about ten years Chiu joined the city’s burgeoning artistic scene.

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

4 of 13

He dedicates this project “to all those people who are looking for a better life. Who take enormous risks. Or those have been deported and are separated from their families.”

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

5 of 13

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

6 of 13

The entire mural is expected to stretch more than a mile in Tijuana and shorter spans in Tecate, Mexicali, Ciudad Juarez, Naco and Reynosa.

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

7 of 13

The goal is also to set the Guinness World Record for longest mural and create an artistic riposte to Trump’s nationalist and anti-immigrant politics.

Brotherhood Mural by Enrique Chiu

8 of 13

The artist himself crossed the border with his mother when he was eight and lived in LA for a year without a legal status.